Miner's Prayer

(d. yoakam)
Miner's prayer is dedicated to the memory of luther tibbs.
A kentucky coal miner for 40 years, and my grandpa.
When the whistle blows each morning
And i walk down in that cold, dark mine
I say a prayer to my dear savior
Please let me see the sunshine one more time
Chorus:
When oh when will it be over
When will i lay these burdens down
And when i die, dear lord in heaven
Please take my soul from 'neath that cold dark ground
I still grieve for my poor brother
And i still hear my dear old mother cry
When late that night they came and told her
He'd lost his life down in the big shoal mine
Chorus:
When oh when will it be over
When will i lay these burdens down
And when i die, dear lord in heaven
Please take my soul from 'neath that cold dark ground
I have no shame, i feel no sorrow
If on this earth not much i own
I have the love of my sweet children
An old plow mule, a shovel and a hoe
Chorus:
When oh when will it be over
When will i lay these burdens down
And when i die, dear lord in heaven
Please take my soul from 'neath that cold dark ground
Yeah, when i die, dear lord in heaven
Please take my soul from ' neath that cold dark ground